Preface

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Publication year: 2022

Preface

When I was asked to compile all of these articles by my son, Ed Walters, CEO of Fastcase and Full Court Press, which published this tome, I responded that I did not want to do such a thing . . . and who would be interested enough to read it, anyway?

He convinced me.

Many of the articles require some context, so several are prefaced with a short comment.

I use the "kicker" Ipse Dixit above the headline of most of my articles. Ipse Dixit is a Latin term that was often used by Professor George W. Pugh at the Louisiana State University Law School. Black's Law Dictionary defines Ipse Dixit as "He himself said it; a bare assertion resting on the authority of an individual." As a legal term it is usually used to criticize arguments not backed by any proof. I always suggest that it means, "It is so because I say it is so."

Using the Socratic Method—teaching by asking questions—Professor Pugh would ask us the question, listen to the answer and then ask us to tell everyone the basis for our answer. When we were unable to do so, he would say, in his inimitable slow Southern drawl, "Well, what is it . . . Ipse Dixit?" A great opening kicker for my articles through the years. Thank you...